List of people from the Halifax Regional Municipality

This is a list of people who were born in the communities making up the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia or spent a significant part of their lives there.

Politicians

• Sir Frederick Borden KCMG PC (1847-1917), Minister of Militia and Defence (Canada) (1896-1911)
• Sir Robert Borden GCMG PC KC (1854-1937), Prime Minister of Canada (1911-20)
• John Buchanan PC, QC (1931–2019), lawyer, 20th Premier of Nova Scotia 1978–1990, member of the Senate of Canada 1990–2006
• Walter Fitzgerald (1936-2014), Mayor of Halifax, 1971–1974, 1994–1996
• John Godfrey (born 1942), Member of Parliament (1993–2008), President of University of King's College (1977–1987), Financial Post editor (1987–1991)
• Joseph Howe (1804–1873), press freedom advocate and activist, journalist, politician and public servant
• Megan Leslie (born 1973), former Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the federal New Democratic Party (2012–2015)
• Angus L. MacDonald, 12th and 14th Premier of Nova Scotia 1933–1940, 1945–1954 and federal Minister of National Defence for Naval Services, 1940–1945
• Alexa McDonough (born 1944), former Member of Parliament and Leader of the provincial (1980-1994) and federal New Democratic Party (1995-2003)
• Gerald Regan, PC, QC (1928–2019), 19th Premier of Nova Scotia 1970–1978, federal cabinet minister 1980–1984
• Jo-Ann Roberts (born 1956), interim leader, Green Party of Canada, 2019-2020
• Sir John Sparrow David Thompson (1845–1894), Prime Minister of Canada (1892–94)
• Sir Charles Tupper (1821–1915), Prime Minister of Canada (1896)
• Ronald Wallace (1916-2008), Mayor of Halifax, 1970–1978

Civil Rights Leaders

• Yvonne Atwell (1943-), MLA, community leader
• Rocky Jones (1941-2013), lawyer, civil rights leader
• James Robinson Johnston (1876-1915), lawyer and community leader
• William Pearly Oliver CM (1912-1989), civil rights leader
• Richard Preston (clergyman) (1791-1861), religious leader, abolitionist

Business leaders

• David Bentley (businessman), U.K.-born publisher, editor, founder of The Daily News and Frank magazine
• William "Bill" Black, (born 1950) is a Canadian business leader.
• Enos Collins (1774–1871), banker
• Samuel Cunard (1787–1865), steamship line founder
• William Dennis (born 1922), CEO of Halifax Herald, Red Cross Humanitarian award
• Michael Donovan (born 1953), former CEO and current chairman of DHX Media; recipient of an Academy Award for Best Documentary[1]
• Charles V. Keating, CM (1933–2005), cable czar
• Pete Luckett (born 1953), U.K.-born entrepreneur, vinter, specialty grocer, TV personality
• Alexander Keith (1795–1893), brewmaster; former mayor of the city of Halifax; first Grand Master Mason for Nova Scotia
• Charles Peter McColough (1922–2006), former chairman and CEO of the Xerox Corporation
• Sidney Culverwell Oland (1886–1977), Oland brewery owner, philanthropist
• Arnie Patterson (1928–2011), radio czar, brewery manager, former press secretary to Pierre Trudeau
• John Risley (born c. 1948), founder of Clearwater Fine Foods and Ocean Nutrition Canada
• John Fitzwilliam Stairs (1848–1904), entrepreneur and statesman
• William Machin Stairs (1789–1865), merchant, banker, and statesman

Military and naval figures

17th–18th centuries

• Charles Lawrence, Father Le Loutre's War
• Father Pierre Maillard, Father Le Loutre's War
• Captain Charles Morris, King George's War

19th century

• John Charles Beckwith, Battle of Waterloo
• Edward Belcher by Stephen Pearce, Franklin's lost expedition
• Lieutenant-Colonel James J. Bremner, North-West Rebellion
• Sir John Eardley Inglis, Indian Mutiny
• Clonard Keating, Lieutenant, Nigeria
• John Wimburn Laurie, Crimean War
• John Houlton Marshall, Battle of Trafalgar, Province House (Nova Scotia)
• Captain William B.C.A. Parker, Crimean War
• Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, War of 1812
• William Grant Stairs, Captain, the Stairs Expedition to Katanga
• Provo Wallis, War of 1812
• Major Augustus F. Welsford, Crimean War
• George Augustus Westphal, Battle of Trafalgar, Admiralty Garden, Stadacona, CFB Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Sir William Williams, 1st Baronet, of Kars by William Gush, Crimean War
• John Taylor Wood, American Civil War

20th century

• Philip Bent, Halifax-born recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Vice Admiral Harry DeWolf, CBE, DSO, DSC, CD (1903-2000), Commander of HMCS Haida, WWII Battle of the Atlantic; Chief of the Naval Staff (1956–60)
• Francis Joseph Fitzgerald, Second Boer War, Fitzgerald Bridge in Halifax Public Gardens
• Harold Taylor Wood Grant, commanded HMS Enterprise (D52) in the Battle of the Bay of Biscay
• Mona Louise Parsons, World War II
• Guy Carleton Jones, 4th Canadian Surgeon General

Diplomats

• Audri Mukhopadhyay (born 1974), former Canadian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Scientists

• Oswald Avery (1877–1955), physician and medical researcher who proved that DNA is the carrier of genetic information
• Walter A. Bell (1889–1969), geologist and paleontologist
• Elisabeth Mann Borgese (1918-2002), German-Canadian oceanographer, environmentalist, maritime lawyer, daughter of Thomas Mann
• Erik Demaine (born 1981), computer scientist and professor
• Danielle Fong (born 1987), co-founder and Chief Scientist of LightSail Energy
• Abraham Pineo Gesner (1797–1864), physician and geologist who invented kerosene
• Charles Brenton Huggins (1901–1997), Canadian-American physician and researcher, Nobel Prize Winner in Physiology or Medicine "for his discoveries concerning hormonal treatment of prostatic cancer"

Authors

Novelists or Short Story Authors

• Kris Bertin, 2017 Danuta Gleed Award-winning author (Bad Things Happen)
• Alexander MacLeod (born 1972), short story writer (Light Lifting) and academic
• Donna Morrissey (born 1956), novelist (Kit's Law; What They Wanted)
• Sarah Mian, novelist (When the Saints)
• Hugh MacLennan, CC, CQ (1907–90), 5-time Governor General's Award winner (Barometer Rising, Two Solitudes, The Watch That Ends the Night)
• Thomas Head Raddall (1903-1994), novelist (Roger Sudden; Halifax, Warden of the North)
• Russell Smith (born 1963), novelist (How Insensitive, Muriella Pent), columnist

Playwrights

• Catherine Banks, 2-time Governor General's Award-winning playwright (Bone Cage; It Is Solved By Walking)
• George Boyd (playwright) (1952-2020) (Shine Boy; Gideon's Blues)
• Brendan Gall (born 1978) (Alias Godot; Head-Smashed-In, Buffalo Jump)
• Wendy Lill (born 1950), playwright, M.P. (Corker, The Fighting Days, The Glace Bay Miners' Museum)
• Alfred Silver, Prairie-born Halifax playwright, novelist (Göttingen, Acadia)

Poets

• Bill Bissett (born 1939), poet (Th gossamer bed pan, Th Wind Up Tongue, sublingual)
• Jono Borden, poet, songwriter, and novelist (Simple Simony, Isaac & Iskandar: A Conquest in Verse, 7×5 (Uncut), Between the Silver and the Mirror, Where the Willow Does Not Weep, Diamond & Dagger)
• Lesley Choyce (born 1951), U.S.-born poet (Revenge of the Optimist), novelist, academic, publisher (Pottersfield Portfolio/Press)
• George Elliott Clarke OC ONS (born 1960), Governor General's Award-winning poet, playwright, novelist, academic (Execution Poems, Illicit Sonnets)
• Afua Cooper (born 1957), Jamaican-Canadian poet and academic (Breaking Chains, Copper Woman, Memories Have Tongue)
• Don Domanski (born 1950), Governor General's Award-winner (All of Our Wonder Unavenged, The Cape Breton Book of the Dead, Stations of The Left Hand)
• Susan Goyette (born 1964), poet (The True Names of Birds, Lures, The Brief Reincarnation of a Girl)
• Amelia Clotilda Jennings (died 1895), poet, novelist (Linden Rhymes, The White Rose in Acadia)
• El Jones, poet, academic, activist (Live from the Afrikan Resistance!)
• Kenneth Leslie (1892-1974), Governor General's Award-winner (O'Malley to the Reds, By Stubborn Stars), progressive activist and editor (The Protestant Digest)
• Lorri Neilsen Glenn, poet, essayist, academic (Lost Gospels, Threading Light, Salt Lines, Saved String)

Critics, Scholars, Other

• John Boileau (born 1945), author of historical non-fiction (Half-Hearted Enemies: Nova Scotia, New England and the War of 1812, Valiant Hearts: Atlantic Canada and the Victoria Cross, Halifax and the Royal Canadian Navy, Halifax and Titanic, 6-12-17: The Halifax Explosion)
• George Grant (philosopher) (1918–1988), philosopher, academic (Lament for a Nation, Technology and Empire)
• Stephen Kimber (born 1949), journalist, editor, broadcaster, professor (Sailors, Slackers and Blind Pigs: Halifax at War)
• Steven Laffoley (born 1965), creative non-fiction and crime writer (Halifax Nocturne)
• Thomas McCulloch (1776-1843), Scottish-born clergyman, naturalist, humourist, author (The Stepsure Letters)
• Malcolm Ross (literary critic) OC FRSC (1911–2002), critic (Poetry & Dogma), editor (McClelland and Stewart's New Canadian Library), professor, NFB film executive

Actors, directors, comedians

Actors

• Walter Borden (born 1942), Shakespearian stage, TV and film actor (King Lear, Tightrope Time)
• Henry Beckman (1921–2008), stage, film, and television actor (McHale's Navy, Why Rock the Boat?)
• Chuck Campbell (born 1969), actor (Stargate Atlantis)
• Peter Flemming (born 1967), actor (Stargate Atlantis)
• Eli Goree, actor, (The 100, Ballers)
• Tamara Hickey, actress (The Associates, Blue Murder)
• Leslie Hope (born 1965), actress (Talk Radio; Paris, France; 24)
• Michael Jackson (born 1970), actor (Trailer Park Boys), musician (a.k.a. Doug Mason)
• Ruby Keeler (1909–1993), actress, dancer (42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, Footlight Parade, Dames)
• David Manners (1900–1998), actor (Kismet, Browning's Dracula, Freund's The Mummy, The Moonstone)
• Forbes March (born 1973), actor born in UK but raised in Halifax (All My Children, As the World Turns, One Life to Live)
• Peter North (born 1957), adult film actor, director, producer (North Poles)
• Sonja O'Hara (born 1987), actress, director (Root Letter)
• Craig Olejnik (born 1979), actor, (Margaret's Museum, The Listener)
• Ty Olsson (born 1974), actor (Kingdom Hospital)
• Elliot Page (born 1987), Academy Award-nominated actor (Juno, Inception, To Rome with Love, Into the Forest)
• John Reardon (born 1975), actor and former university football player (Hudson & Rex)
• Laura Regan (born 1977), actress (Mad Men)
• Joanna Shimkus (born 1943), actress (Boom!, The Virgin and the Gypsy, A Time for Loving)
• Cindy Sampson (born 1978), actress (Private Eyes)
• Anthony Sherwood (born 1949), actor, producer, director, writer, and R&B singer (Street Legal)
• Chase Tang (born 1988), actor (Jupiter's Legacy)
• Jonathan Torrens (born 1972), actor (Trailer Park Boys, Mr. D), television personality (TV with TV's Jonathan Torrens)
• John Paul Tremblay (born 1968), actor and writer (Trailer Park Boys)
• Robb Wells (born 1971), actor and writer (Trailer Park Boys, Hobo With a Shotgun)

[Note: UK actor John Neville (1925-2011) and US actors Michael Moriarty (b. 1941) and Jan Smithers (b. 1949) are all former extended-term residents of Halifax.]

Directors/Screenwriters

• Cory Bowles (born 1973), actor (Trailer Park Boys), writer, director (Black Cop)
• Mike Clattenburg (born 1968), TV and film director, creator of the Trailer Park Boys
• Paul Donovan, TV and film writer/director, creator of 'LEXX'
• Barrie Dunn (born 1952), actor (Trailer Park Boys), writer (Canada Russia '72), director, producer, lawyer
• Thom Fitzgerald (born 1968), director, writer (The Hanging Garden, Cloudburst, 3 Needles, Wild Dogs)
• Floyd Kane, lawyer, executive producer (Bowling for Columbine), screenwriter, creator of Diggstown
• Karen Walton, screenwriter (Ginger Snaps, Orphan Black)

Comedians

• Jackie Cox, Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
• Mark Farrell (born 1968), comedian, writer, producer, actor (The Newsroom)
• Ron James, Glace Bay-raised Halifax-based comedian, actor
• Nikki Payne (born 1976), comedian
• Picnicface, comedy troupe
• The Unknown Comic, real name Murray Langston (born 1945), actor, comedian
• Cheryl Wagner, clown and puppeteer
• Jennifer Whalen, Toronto-raised Halifax-resident writer, actor (Baroness von Sketch Show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes)

Broadcasters

• Steve Armitage (born 1944), sportscaster
• Frank Cameron (born 1938), CBC anchorman, deejay, columnist, Music Hop host (Frank's Bandstand)
• Peter Coade (born 1942), broadcast meteorologist
• Robert MacNeil (born 1931), former PBS anchorman (The MacNeil-Lehrer Report)
• Bruce Rainnie, sportscaster, anchorman
• Tara Slone (born 1973), host Rogers Hometown Hockey, singer, actress

Visual artists and sculptors

• Bob Chambers, (1905–1996), political cartoonist
• Joey Comeau (born 1980), author and co-creator of the webcomic A Softer World
• Gerald Ferguson, artist
• Hal Foster (1892–1982), comic book artist
• Sarah Jeanette Jackson, artist
• Garry Neill Kennedy, artist, NSCAD University president 1967–1996, recipient of the Order of Canada award
• George Lang (builder) (1821-1881), sculptor, stonemason (Sebastopol Monument, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax Provincial Court (Spring Garden Road))
• Ernest Lawson (1873–1939), artist,
• Owen McCarron (1929–2005), cartoonist
• George Steeves (born 1945), contemporary photographer
• Marguerite Porter Zwicker (1904–1993), painter and art promoter
• Bruce MacKinnon political cartoonist and musician

Musicians

Classical

• Denise Djokic (born 1980), cellist
• Barbara Fris (born 1956), operatic soprano
• Barbara Hannigan (born 1971), operatic soprano
• Don Ross (guitarist) (born 1960), fingerstyle classical, jazz and folk guitarist
• Portia White (1911–1968), operatic contralto

Country

• Brian Ahern, music producer See The Offbeats
• Ridley Bent (born 1979), country singer songwriter
• The Guthries (country-rock band), active from 1998–2002
• Eddy (M) Melanson, 1950s rockabilly singer
• Hank Snow (1914–1999), country music legend, from Liverpool, N.S., career started in Halifax
• Gordon Stobbe (born 1946), fiddler, TV host
• Jason Price, country singer/songwriter (current)

Folk

• Ben Caplan, folk musician
• Melanie Doane (born 1967), singer-songwriter
• Rose Cousins (born 1977), singer-songwriter
• Denny Doherty (1940–2007), singer, songwriter, a founding member of The Mamas & the Papas
• Luke Doucet (born 1973), singer-songwriter
• Jenn Grant (born 1980), singer-songwriter
• Dylan Guthro (born 1991), singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, now based in Halifax
• The Halifax Three, 1960s folk group
• Rebekah Higgs (born 1982), singer-songwriter
• Mo Kenney (born 1990), singer-songwriter
• Daniel Ledwell, record producer and multi-instrumentalist
• Ryan MacGrath, singer-songwriter
• Ed McCurdy (1919-2000), American singer-songwriter, peace activist lived in Halifax from 1984-2000
• Ruth Minnikin, singer-songwriter
• Old Man Luedecke, Juno winning singer-songwriter
• Denis Ryan, Irish-Canadian singer and tin whistler, based in Halifax since 1980
• The Stanfields, folk rock band
• Al Tuck (born 1966), singer/songwriter from P.E.I., based in Halifax since 1980s

Jazz, Blues and Soul

• Jill Barber (born 1980), Halifax-based singer-songwriter
• Gary Beals (born 1982), singer
• Holly Cole (born 1963), singer, actor
• Gypsophilia (formed 2004), jazz band
• JRDN (Ralph Jordon Croucher), R&B recording artist
• Tom Easley (born 1970), bassist, composer, singer, pianist, teacher
• Dutch Mason (1938–2006), blues hollerer, singer, jazz musician and Order of Canada inductee ("Prime Minister of the Blues")
• David Myles (born 1981), musician originally from Fredericton, now lives and records in Halifax
• Joe Sealy (born 1939), pianist, composer (Africville Suite)
• Nelson Symonds (1933–2008), jazz guitarist

Hip Hop and Rap

• Buck 65 (born 1972), rapper, hip hop artist, MC, CBC personality Rich Terfry
• Classified, real name Luke Boyd, rapper
• Tanya Davis, spoken word poet and singer
• Hip Club Groove, 1990s hip hop band
• Sixtoo, 1990s hip hop artist
• Skratch Bastid (born 1982), Bedford-raised deejay, producer, 3-time Scribble Jam DJ Battle winner
• Wordburglar, alternative hip hop artist

Individuals

• Rich Aucoin, indie-rock musician
• Rob Benvie, guitarist, singer/songwriter
• Jon Bryant, singer and songwriter
• Brendan Croskerry (born 1985), singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist
• Myles Goodwyn (born 1948), singer, songwriter, producer, April Wine and solo
• Ryan Hemsworth, DJ and producer
• Ria Mae, singer and songwriter
• Matt Mays (born 1979), singer, songwriter (solo and with El Torpedo)
• Sarah McLachlan (born 1968), singer, songwriter, pianist
• Kevin MacMichael (1951–2002), Cutting Crew guitarist
• Matt Murphy, singer/songwriter guitarist, actor (The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico)
• Dale Murray, musician, guitarist and vocalist for Cuff the Duke
• Joel Plaskett (born 1974), singer, songwriter

Bands

• Alert the Medic (formed 2006), rock band
• April Wine (band), formed in 1969
• Dog Day (formed 2004), indie-rock duo
• The Flashing Lights, indie rock band 1990s–2000s
• The Hylozoists (formed 2001), instrumental rock group
• In-Flight Safety (formed in 2003), indie-rock band originally from Sackville
• Jale (band), formed in 1992
• Jellyfishbabies, indie rock band, 1986-1993
• Mir, alternative band, 1998–2010
• Neon Dreams (band), Alt-Pop Duo (formed 2013)
• North of America (1997–2003), indie-rock band
• Port Cities (band formed in 2015)
• Sloan (band), formed in 1991
• The Stolen Minks (formed in 2003), garage-punk band
• The Super Friendz, indie rock band, 1994–1997, 2003–2004
• Thrush Hermit, 90s alternative rock band
• Tuns (band), indie supergroup featuring Sloan and Super Friendz members
• TWRP (band), 80s electro synthesizer rock band, formed in 2007
• Wintersleep (band), formed in 2001

Sportspeople

Baseball

• Shorty Dee (1889–1971), MLB shortstop, St. Louis Browns
• John Doyle (baseball) (1858–1915), MLB pitcher, St. Louis Brown Stockings
• Pat Hannivan (1866–1908), MLB outfielder/infielder, Brooklyn Bridegrooms
• Vince Horsman (born 1967), MLB pitcher, Oakland A's, Toronto Blue Jays
• Rick Lisi (born 1956), MLB outfielder, Texas Rangers
• Pat Scanlon (outfielder) (1861–1913), MLB outfielder, Boston Reds

Basketball

• Lindell Wigginton (born 1998), basketball player

Boxing

• Ricky Anderson, 1981 North American light-welterweight champion
• Trevor Berbick (1954–2006), WBC World Heavyweight Champion (1986)
• Chris Clarke (born 1956), 1975 Pan Am Games lightweight gold-medalist
• Buddy Daye (1928-1995), Canadian featherweight champion 1964-66, community activist
• David Downey (born 1942), Canadian middleweight champion 1967–77
• Ray Downey (born 1968), Olympic medalist, light-heavyweight
• George Dixon (1870–1908), first black world boxing champion in any weight class; first ever Canadian-born boxing champion
• Clyde Gray (born 1947), Commonwealth Champion, WBA welterweight contender
• Kirk Johnson (born 1972), heavyweight boxer, Olympian

Football

• Eddie Murray, (born 1956) former NFL Kicker
• Tyrone Williams (born 1970), retired NFL and CFL player
• Steve Morley (born 1981), retired NFL and CFL player
• Larry Uteck (1952-2002), CFL player (1974–80), CIAU coach (1983–97) [Coach of the Year (1988, 1992)], athletic director, Alderman, Deputy Mayor

Hockey

• Eric Boulton (born 1976), former NHL hockey player (2000–15)
• Rick Bowness (born 1955), head coach of various NHL teams (1988-2004), Dallas Stars (2019-current)
• Mike Backman (born 1955), former NHL and CHL player (1976–86)
• Sidney Crosby (born 1987), 3-time Stanley Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, Conn Smythe (2) Art Ross (2) Hart (2) trophies winner
• Ryan Flinn (born 1980), former NHL enforcer (2001-06)
• Andrew Gordon (born 1985), AHL, NHL (2008–13), and SHL (Swedish Hockey League) player
• Hilliard Graves (born 1950), former NHL and WHA player (1970–80)
• Matthew Highmore (born 1996), NHL player
• Bert Hirschfeld (1929–1996), former NHL player (1949–51)
• Jack Ingram (1893–1957), former professional hockey player (NHL, 1924–25)
• Don Johnson (1930–2012), president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and civil servant
• Mike Johnston (ice hockey) (born 1957), head coach and GM, Portland Winterhawks; former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach (2014–2016)
• Andrew Joudrey (born 1984), NHL (2004) and DEL Deutsche Eishockey Liga hockey player
• Don Koharski (born 1955), former NHL referee
• Alex Killorn (born 1989), Tampa Bay Lightning forward, 2012 Calder Cup winner (Norfolk Admirals)
• Olaf Kolzig (born 1970), former NHL goalie (1989-2009), played minor NSAHA/NSMMHL hockey in Dartmouth (1985–87)
• David Ling (born 1975), former NHL player (1996-2004)
• Nathan MacKinnon (born 1995), first overall pick in 2013 NHL Entry Draft 2012 QMJHL rookie of year and Halifax Mooseheads
• Ian MacNeil, former NHL player (2002–03)
• Brad Marchand (born 1988), hockey player, 2011 rookie Stanley Cup Champion; former Halifax Moosehead
• Peter Marsh (born 1956), retired NHL player
• Wayne Maxner (born 1942), former NHL player (1964-66), NHL coach Detroit Red Wings (1980–82)
• Liam O'Brien, hockey player, Washington Capitals
• Pokey Reddick (born 1964), former NHL goalie (1986-94)
• Cam Russell (born 1969), former NHL player (1989-99)
• James Sheppard (born 1988), former NHL player (2007-15) and DEL Deutsche Eishockey Liga hockey player
• Wendell Young (born 1963), former NHL (1985–95) and IHL/CHL goalie (1981-2001)

Martial Arts

• TJ Grant (born 1984), mixed martial artist, UFC Lightweight contender
• Roger Hollett, mixed martial artist, former UFC Light Heavyweight
• Chris Kelades, mixed martial artist, former UFC Flyweight
• John Makdessi, mixed martial artist, UFC Lightweight competitor

Other

• Jackie Barrett (born 1974), former Special Olympics Powerlifter, amassed 15 Powerlifting medals at four Special Olympics World Games appearances
• Jamie Bone (born 1966), 3-time gold medallist, 1988 Summer Paralympics (100m, 200m, 400m)
• Jillian D'Alessio (born 1985), sprint kayaker, two-time Pan-American gold medalist
• Nancy Garapick (born 1961), backstroke swimmer, Olympic medalist and former Olympic record holder, former world record holder
• Stephen Giles (born 1972), sprint canoeist, World Champion (1998), Olympic bronze-medallist (2000)
• Stephen Hart (footballer), (born 1960), former soccer player, national team manager (Canada, 2006–07, 2009–12; Trinidad and Tobago, 2013–16), manager of the Halifax Wanderers (CPL) (2018-).
• Colleen Jones (born 1959), World Champion curler, CBC personality
• Mark de Jonge (born 1984), sprint canoeist, olympic bronze medalist, two World Championship golds and one Pan-American gold
• Ian Millar (born 1947), show jumper, World Champ (3), 10-time Olympian (1972-2012), Olympic silver medallist (2008), Pan Am Champ (1987, 1999, 2015)
• Morgan Williams, professional rugby player, born in Kingston, Ontario, raised in Cole Harbour

Criminals

• Alexander Keith, Jr. (1827–1875), American Civil War secret agent, saboteur, terrorist, mass killer
• John Tillmann (1961–2018), art thief, fraudster

Other

• Eddie Carvery, Africville political protestor
• Helen Creighton CM (1899–1989), folklorist
• Patrick Vincent (Vince) Coleman, Halifax Explosion hero
• Adèle Hugo, French national, subject of The Story of Adèle H., Halifax resident 1863-1866, (daughter of Victor Hugo).
• Chögyam Trungpa, Buddhist teacher

References

1. "Canadian impresario finds his niche building a children's TV powerhouse" – via The Globe and Mail.